Venezuelan President survives apparent drone assassination attempt
  • 6 years ago
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is blaming far-right elements and Colombia's outgoing president for last weekend's apparent attempt on his life.
Maduro's government says six people have been detained over the drone explosions at an event in Caracas.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro survived the apparent assassination attempt, after several drones armed with explosives flew towards him, during a speech on Saturday evening local time commemorating the 81st anniversary of the country's National Guard.
Live footage of the event in Caracas shows Maduro suddenly looking up startled mid-speech,... while his wife, who was beside him, winced after a loud bang.
Dozens of soldiers were seen scattering after the explosions,... and seven members of the National Guard were said to have been injured, three seriously.
Maduro accused far-right elements in Venezuela and Colombia's outgoing president, Juan Manuel Santos, of plotting the attack
However, CNN reports that a Colombian presidential source insists Maduro's accusations are "baseless".
The Venezuelan leader addressed the nation, hours after the attack,...
describing the event as an assassination attempt,... adding that he's "alive and victorious".
Maduro added there were two explosions, seconds apart,... but he'd initially thought they were fireworks that were part of the military parade.
Venezuela's Minister of Communication says preliminary information shows the explosions came from several "drone-type flying devices" containing explosive charges that detonated in the vicinity of the presidential stage,... and in other areas of the parade.
An investigation was launched immediately after the incident,... and reports say several people believed to have been behind the attack have already been captured and charged.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
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